Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. II.

Description of the Countries, and the seuerall Regions, Religions, and Abassine Opinions.

THat part of Aethiopia, which is vnder or neere to Egypt, is called Abassia, namely, so * 1.1 [ 50] much as is, or in more flourishing Estate of that Empire, hath beene subiect to the Negus; called Priest Iohn, by errour of Couilanus, followed by other Portugals in the first discouerie, applying by mis-conceit through some like occur rents the Rela∣tions in M. Polo and others touching Presbyter Iohn, in the North-east parts of Asia, (therefore called a Priest because he had the Crosse, as the Westerne Archbishops vsed, carryed before him) vnto this King; the Abassines also in Europe, willing by names of neerer sound to confirme that fancie, tending as they supposed, to the credit of their Prin〈…〉〈…〉 On the East it is bounded with the Red Sea from ten to twentie degrees of North Latitude, ending in Suachen, anciently cal∣led Aspix. On the West with high Monntaines rising along, or neerer the Bankes of Nilus: the [ 60] North parts extend as farre as Meroe, the South to Auia, thence reaching to Adel, a Kingdome of Moores, whose chiefe Citie is Ara in nine degrees of North Latitude. The whole circuit is sixe hundred, or after others betwixt seuen and eight hundred leagues. The Name Abassia

seemes deriued from Abases, which Strabo saith is giuen to inhabited places enuironed with Desarts.

Iohn Gabriel, sometimes Generall of the Portugals in Abassia, a man expert in many Lan∣guages, * 1.2 hath written, that the Abassine Empire contayneth by ancient right, sixe and twentie Kingdomes, distributed into fourteene Regions: The first eight lye from Suachen Westward. Ti∣grai containeth seuenteene Tracts or large Shires, each hauing a Lieutenant: the Turkes now * 1.3 possesse the Sea Ports hereof, and the Moores the adioyning Continent, the in-land parts are in∣habited promiscuously by Christians and Heathens, blacke, miserable and deformed within and without, in soule, bodie and state. The next to Tigrai is Dancali, washed on the East by the * 1.4 Red Sea, thence extended Westward in a short and barren Tract of Land, inhabited by Moores, [ 10] tributarie to the Abassine. Angote followeth, the fourth Boa, the fifth Amara, the sixth Leca, all * 1.5 inhabited by Christians. The seuenth, is Abagamedri, very large, contayning seuenteene Tracts, inhabited partly with Christians, partly with Ethnikes, as is also Dambea, hauing only two Tracts. On the other side of Dancali, along the Sea Coast runneth Aucaguerle, inhabited by * 1.6 Moores which acknowledge not the Abassine, abutting on Adel, the chiefe Citie Zeila, some∣times Aualites. Next to it is Dahali, extending towards Mombaza, the Inhabitants partly Christians, partly Mahumetans, tributary to the Negus. Oecie is within Land, partly Mahu∣metane, * 1.7 partly Ethnike, subiect to the Abassine: after which follow Arium, Fatigar, (both Chri∣stians) and Zinger, Ethnike. The sixteenth, is Rozanagum inhabited by Christians, not subiect to * 1.8 the Prete. Hence to the North is Roxa an Ethnike Kingdome, Goma inhabited by Christians and [ 20] Ethnikes obeying the Abassine: towards Monomotapa is Nerea, both Christian and Ethnike, a * 1.9 large Kingdome: Zethe only Ethnike, but subiect to the Emperour: after which are Conche, Ma∣haola, only Ethnike, and Goroma which hath twentie Tracts of Christians and Gentiles, almost * 1.10 made an Iland by Nilus encompassing, able by the fertilitie to nourish diuers Armies (which al∣most continually infest it for that cause) the Sowers following the Reapers without other Til∣lage. The three last Kingdomes lye towards Egypt, to wit, Damote, Sua, Iasculum: Sua, the heart and sometime Chiefe Seat of the Empire: Iasculum extends to Cairo, inhabited by Ma∣humetanes, yearely euery Lent trauelled by Pilgrims to Ierusalem, going in Companies out of Dambea.

The names of the Prouinces are Dubane, Xuncho: Daraita, Bora, Calaoa, Aga; (these three are [ 30] inhabited by Christians in name, otherwise Ethnikes, the first of the former by Ethnikes, the next Saracens; the third Christians) Arima, Arbum, Xancala, Xanc••ra, Suggamo, Berga••••, A∣ris (which is on the other side of Nilus) Euara. Of all these Kingdomes, besides Tigrai, Aba∣gamedri, Goroma, and Dambea, scarcely any is subiect to the Abassine.

The same Gabriel recordeth foure principall Riuers in this Abassine Aethiopia, and as many huge Lakes. The first Riuer is Taucea, running from the South to the North, but intrapped and * 1.11 drunke vp of the thirstie sands before it can pay Tribute to the Sea. It hath neighbouring Moun∣taines of admirable height, almost inaccessible passage, and fortified scite, inhabited by Iewes, still obseruing the Mosaicall Ceremonies, dreadfull to the adioyning people. The second Riuer is Oara, running into the Sea of Zeila, richer in waterie treasures then Nilus: but such is the [ 40] Abassine Superstition, that they refuse to drinke of his pleasant waters, because it watereth in the passage the Regions of Mahumetans. (And is not some mens fancie of like phrenzie with vs, which refuse our Churches for the liuing, Church-yards for their dead; and others not so sicke, our Ceremonies and Rites, for a Popish passage, bee their Antiquitie, Innocencie, and seeming profitablenesse neuer so plausible, and nothing lesse then Popish?) The third Riuer is Gabea, * 1.12 which runnes towards Mombaza, and the fourth Nilus. The first Lake, is Aicha in Angote: the second is Dambeabahar, that is, the Sea of Dambea, not farre from Gubbai, where now is the Emperours Court, if at any time he leaues his Tents for the Citie: it is about threescore miles long, and fiue and twentie broad, admitting Nilus on one side. It hath many Fishes, Riuer-hor∣ses, which endanger Sailers; and hath many small Ilands therein to which Traytors are confi∣ned. [ 50] The third Lake is Zella, in Oecie, the fourth not farre thence Xacala. Antonie Fernandez a Iesuite, in a Letter dated 1610. attributes fortie Prouinces to Abassia, but in substance agreeth * 1.13 with Gabriel, whose Tracts are as huge as the others Prouinces.

THe same Fernandez addeth, that the Abassine soile is for the most part hollow and full of deepe openings. In the midst of the Champaigne Plaines in many places out of the hard * 1.14 Rocke arise Rockie Hils, which in times of warre serue them for Fortresses. The whole Coun∣trey abounds with veines of Metall and Metall-medicines: but the Inhabitants partly by igno∣rance, and partly for feare of the Turkes Inuasion, if such things should bee knowne, suffer them to lye hidden in the Earth. Only they make vse of so much Iron as they find vpon the face of [ 60] the Earth without digging. Of Plants and Trees is great varietie: but fruits not so pleasant as in Europe. One yet there is very vsefull for the Wormes which breed in them by eating raw flesh, which would gnaw thorow their entrailes, if they did not preuent that euill with * 1.15 monethly purgations by this Fruit, which both kils the Wormes and emptieth the belly. Pea∣ches,

Pomegranates, Indian Figs, Oranges, and Vines are there seene, but rare and few. Hares, Goats, Harts, Bores, Elephants, Camels, Buffals, Lions, Panthers, Tigres, Rhinocerotes, and other Creatures are there seene, and one so huge that a man sitting on Horse-backe, may passe * 1.16 vpright vnder his belly: his shape is like a Camell, but his nature diuers, feeding on leaues which he reacheth from the tops of Trees with his necke stretched forth. There are many Riuers and Lakes, in all which are Riuer-horses innumerable very hurtfull to their Corne: of great bodies, and a mouth so wide that they can gape a Cubit and halfe. By night they goe out of the waters * 1.17 into the fields to feed; for they liue on Herbs: and if the Husbandmen watch not well, in one night they will destroy their Corne. In the water they are very bold, and assaile men like fierce Dogges, and cruelly teare those which they get. They are so afraid of fire that a little Boy hol∣ding [ 10] a lighted Torch, may scarre away many thousands of them. There are some which hunt * 1.18 and kill them for their flesh, which differeth little from Beefe. In these Riuers and Lakes is al∣so found the Torpedo, which if any man hold in his hand, if it stirre not, it doth produce no ef∣fect: but if it moue it selfe neuer so little, it so tormenteth the bodie of him which holds it, that his Arteries, Ioints, Sinewes, & all his Members feele exceeding paine with a certaine num∣nesse: and as soone as it is let go out of the hand, all that paine and numnesse is also gone. The Superstitious Abassines beleeue that it is good to expell Deuils out of humane bodies, as if it did torment Spirits no lesse then men. They say, if one of these aliue bee laid amongst dead Fi∣shes, if it there stirre it selfe, it makes those which it toucheth to stirre as if they were aliue. There is great store of this kind in Nilus, in the furthest parts of Goyama, where there is a Meere [ 20] or Fenne a 1.19 without bottome, welling and admirably boyling forth waters continually, whence Nilus springeth. It ariseth small and first for a dayes iourney and halfe trendeth Eastward. Then it enters into a Lake as great as any imagined to bee in the World, running thorow the midst thereof with a swift course, flying all mixture of waters, and throwes it selfe from very high Rockes, whence hauing gotten freer scope, it expatiates it selfe a while, and shortly is as it were swallowed vp in deepe yauning Gulfes of the Earth, and so straitned, that in some places a man may stride ouer it. But after it hath passed fiue dayes to the East; it bends backe its course to the West, and sometimes greater, sometimes lesse, according to the Season, passeth towards Egypt. The Abassines report, that it is no hard thing to turne the Riuers course some other way, and to sterue Egypt, which I scarsly beleeue. [ 30]

The Abassine Aire is most part warme and temperate, but in low Land is exceeding hote, and somewhat vnwholsome. Their Winter is from the end of May to the beginning of September; and then it beginneth in the Red Sea. I haue found by experience, that this Sea from the change of the Moone to the Full, fourteene dayes together flowes in, and as many through the whole Wane ebbeth or runneth out. In Winter it raineth almost euery day in these parts, alway after∣noone, and not without Thunder. From this Kingdome of Dambea where we liue, both Poles are seene, but Antarctike the higher. Neere it are many Stars in forme of a Crosse, whence it hath that name. In this Tract of Heauen appeareth a certaine spot like a Cloud: we suppose it a part more thinne then others not starred: let Philosophers examine. About this spot many Starres shine lesse then those which adorne the other Pole. The yeare beginneth heere with the [ 40] Spring on the first of September. Their yeare h••th twelue monethes, each of them thirtie dayes, and those which remayne from August to September, are reckoned by themselues. The A∣bassines no way more expresse their ioy and iollitie then by eating and drinking: and easily on Holy dayes they come to the Churches, which vsually are compassed with Trees for shade, where are many Vessels set full of their Wine, which after Seruice ended, they sucke in so vn∣measurably, that first Drunkennesse and then Brabbles, and lastly Frayes vsually follow. They make Wine of Honey tempered with Opium, both pleasant and profitable taken moderately.

Wine of Vines is rare, and for their Masse in Vintage time they vse Must, at other times Wine of Raysins. Peter Paez a Iesuite writ, that Anno 1604. hee was with the Emperour who desired him to say Masse, which hee could not for want of Wine, which no where could [ 50] be gotten.

At what time Rodericke Lima entred Abassia, Dauid * 1.20 reigned, and after hee had held the Empire thirtie sixe yeares, his Sonne Claudius succeeded: who in the yeare 1559. was slaine, hauing ruled almost twentie yeares. His Brother Adamas succeeded called also Mena, and reigned foure yeares dying in the yeare 1563. Sarsa Dengel succeeded, who leauing his former name, would be called Malac Seguetus, and died, Anno 1596. His Sonne Iames succeeded, a childe, which after seuen yeares was taken by his Subiects, depriued and sent into the King∣dome of Nerea, a certaine Cousin German of his vsurping the Scepter, which he scarsly held a yeare, being slaine by his Subiects, Anno 1604. Iames was restored, and in the second yeare after [ 60] expelled and slaine in battell by another of his Vncles Sonnes, call 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sacinus: Paez calls him Sa∣sinozius.

ANtonius Fernandez thus writeth of their apparell. The richer sort buy Garments of the Sara∣cens, and clothe themselues in their fashions. The rest both men and women couer their bodies

either with a Skinne or Pelt, or with a course Hempen cloth without other arte then the Weauers. When they doe reuerence to any, they put off this Cloth from the shoulders to the nauiil, remayning halfe naked. They let their haire grow, and that serues them for a Hat and Head-ttyre. For finer brauerie they curle and anoint their haire with Butter, which shewes in the Sun like Grasse in the morning dew. Lest their locks and curles should be disordered, when they goe to bed, each one pitcheth a Forke or Cratch a foote high * 1.21 in the ground, betwixt the hornes whereof hee reposeth his necke, and sleepeth with his head hanging. They vse to brand markes in their bodies, especially in the face. And on their little fingers they suffer the * 1.22 nailes to grow as long as they will, like Cockes spurres, which also they sometimes cut from Cockes, and sit to their fingers. They colour their hands and feet (which are bare) with the iuyce of a reddish barke. They vsually are artlesse and lazie, neglecting hunting and fishing, and whereas W••oll, [ 10] Hempe and Cotton might easily be had, yet the vulgar are clothed with vndressed Pelts, each wearing a Rammes Skinne tyed to his hands and feet. They lye on Oxe-hides without Quilts or Mattresses: * 1.23 for Tables they vse great bowles of wood, rudely hollowed, without any Naperie. Vessels they haue of blacke Chalke. Few but Saracens vse Merchandize and in few places: most exercise Husbandrie, the Gentry follow Armes and the Court. They haue no great Cities, but Villages vnwalled and vnfortified. Their greatest Towne hath scarsly one thousand sixe hundred Houses. Their Houses are small, without * 1.24 elegance, without storie, almost without arte, round and couered with Earth and Straw. They write no Letters, nor vse Records in Iudgements, or other Writings, but in their holy things, and Officers of Ac∣compts for the King.

They vse no Dirges or Deuotions for the dead. They vse Pictures, but not carued nor grauen [ 20] Images. They paint Christ, the Blessed Virgin and other Saints in blacke forme, as Deuils and wicked men in white: so they paint Christ and his Apostles at the Maundie blacke, and Iudas white; Christ in his Passion blacke, Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, Herod, and the Iewes white: Michael blacke and the Deuill white. Their fasting is rigorous not freeing the Sicke. Some Religious men abstaine wholly from flesh, which is no easie thing farre from the Sea, where they haue few fishes. They fast Wednesdayes and Fridayes, not tasting ought till night, then eating Herbes * 1.25 without Oyle (which they haue not) or Butter, and Bread with Apples.

Their Temples are round and encompassed with a double porch, they neither walke, nor talk, nor spit, nor sit, nor laugh in the Church: nor admit Dogges or other Domesticke creatures into the Church-yard. Horsemen a light and walke on foot before the Church as they passe. The great [ 30] Altar is in the midst, Curtaines being drawne betwixt the doore and it from one side of the Church to the other, wherein none not in Orders may enter: without may Lay-men stand, which haue Crutches to support them if they be sicke or old. Some Churches are only for men, others only for women: in small Villages they are common to both, but with seuerall Diuisions that they may not see each other.

Ludouicus Azeuedius in his Letter 1607. saith, that they confesse not the number and kinds of their sinnes, but only say in generall, I haue sinned, I haue sinned. They vse not Confirmati∣on, nor Extreme Vnction, nor the Communion-Uiaticum.

ANtonie Fernandez, 1606. writeth, that in Dembea where hee then was in the Citie of Gorgorra, some receiued the Romane Faith, others refused: that the Emperour that yeare [ 40] * 1.26 writ to the Pope to send thither some Patriarch, and to the King of Spaine for Portugall Forces, to reduce his Empire to the Faith, to which the Princes and Grandes opposed, and must by Armes be forced; but hee feared notwithstanding the mutable inconstancie of the Abassines, which care little to hold promise. God open their eyes: of twentie parts of the Empire, se∣uenteene are almost gone. The next yeare he writeth; we are here fiue Priests of the Societie, some of vs attend the Emperours Campe, to conserue and encrease our Catholike number. Ma∣ny commend our Doctrine, but are afraid to professe it. They obserue Iewish Circumcision, Sab∣baths, abstinence from the flesh which is to the Iewes vncleane, and from Fish without Finnes, and though they confesse them forbidden by Gods word, yet will they not forsake them. Fol∣lowing [ 50] the Emperour, I take view of great part of the Ethiopian Continent. Touching their Rebaptisations, and tradition of Soules from humane seed, and equalitie of Christs humane Nature with the Diuine, with other Abassine errors, I haue had often conflicts with their lear∣ned men, which yeilded to other things easily: but in the two last opinions were obstinate. They call Dioscorus, Blessed, condemne Leo with the Chalcedon Councell, with many reproches, and Father on him many lies touching the Natures and operations of Christ. They hold also, that God doth effect nothing besides the Consecration of things and Miracles when they are done, and thence gather that the Soule is produced of Seed. They circumcise not onely Males, but with a peculiar Rite Females also. Yearely on Twelfth day they renew Baptisme: Aposta∣tas returning from Mahumetanisme, are also rebaptized, and likewise they which haue commit∣ted [ 60] some erroneous crime, or haue married, or haue entred into any Religious Family. On the otherside, they are so rigorous to Infants, that before their appointed day they die without Baptisme. They come to the Eucharist without Contrition or Confession, euen the most wic∣ked amongst them. They dissolue Marriages when they list: before the day of Iudgement they

say, that neither the Soules of the Blessed are in Heauen, nor of the wicked in Hell: Purgatorie they deny, and the Spirits proceeding from the Sonne. These errors are common to all; some are peculiar to some of them, new Heresies daily springing vp without danger as euery man listeth.

In his Letters, 1609. In this Ethiopian Empire, euery man liueth in manner in Armes, nor is the Emperours life more quiet then of other men. For euery yeare, Winter being scarsly past, himselfe in person and his Captaines, renew the Warres, sometimes against Rebels, sometimes against neighbouring enemies. It cannot be vttered what confusions haue happened these two last yeares. As soone as the present Emperour began his reigne, three or foure chiefe men vsur∣ping * 1.27 the Royall name, rebelled against him, but were vanquished in battaile. This very yeare, [ 10] the second of his reigne, as many as haue attempted the same and comne into the field. Neither of long time haue things bin quieter. We are also constrained to waue vp and downe with these stormes; sometimes flying to the Mountaines, sometimes hiding our selues in secret Caues, som∣times we pierce thicke Woods, and vnpassable places, and suffer innumerable euils, which wee could more patiently endure, if we could gather any haruest to offer to God. This very yeare, when the Emperour was gone against a Rebell, suddaine newes came to the Campe, that the Galae (a sauage Nation of Cafres, begotten of Deuils, as the vulgar report) were at hand. It is a * 1.28 hundred yeares since these passed from the fields and woods, where they liued by keeping Cat∣tell, and shaking off the Ethiopian yoake, haue attained such power, that they possesse about the twelfth part of Ethiopia, and are a terrour to all. The Emperour went against them, but was [ 20] ouerthrowne, to the ruine well-neere of the whole Empire. I sought to comfort him as well as I could, but he gathering his forces, suddainely rushed on the Conquerours, and recouered his losse.

One Iuan de Baltasar, a pretended Abassine, and Knight of the Militarie Order of Saint Antonie, hath written a Booke in Spanish of that Order, founded (as he saith) by the Prete Iohn, in the daies of Saint Basil, with rules receiued from him, aboue seuen hundred yeares before any Militarie Order was in the world. I know not whether his Booke (which I haue by me) hath more lies or lines, a man of a leaden braine and brazen face; seconded, if not exceeded by the Morall, Naturall, and Politicall Historie of Ethiopia, the worke of his Scholler Luys d'Ur∣reta, a Spanish Frier and lyer; The said Godignus euery where through his first Booke confutes [ 30] him, it is more then enough that wee haue named such more then Vtopian, such Legendarie fore-heads: and though we will not blot Paper with mention of their assertions, yet haue their ouerflowing commendations of the Ethiopian Faith, and admiration of their State, made thus many Witnesses to be mustered, sometimes repeating the same things, by more abundant allega∣tions to signifie and prooue the truth. We will further trouble the Reader with some extracts of Peter Paez, chiefe of the Iesuites in those parts. For Melchior Sylnius a Priest of Goa, sent into Abassia, consulting with the Abassine Portugals, which way any Iesuite might be sent thi∣ther, was answered, that the Port of Bailur ouer against Moha, was freest of danger, which * 1.29 Paez seeking to doe, by the Monson was preuented, and the next yeare by a Turke, Seruant of the Captaine of Suachen, trading at Diu, named Rezoam Aga, was in Armenian habite thi∣ther [ 40] conueyed. His iourney himselfe hath written in a Letter to the Iesuites at Goa, the foure and twentieth of Iuly, 1603.

THE two and twentieth of March we set Saile, Rezoam Aga sent me of his prouision twice a day, * 1.30 and landing at Mazua, procured me fauour of the Gouernour, with licence to goe whether I would into Ethiopia or Cairo. I thanked him, and said, That I would goe to acertaine Towne to see whether my Kinsman being dead, I might succeed in the Inheritance. The Banean Saranga or Captaine of the ship had receiued charge of the owner touching me, and sent two Saracens with mee, with whom and fiue Christians of Abassia, I departed on the fift of May. I went in a vile ragged habite for feare of Theeues, which there vse to rob and kill, which so freed our Company, that as wee went by night none [ 50] spake but whisperingly. Neere morning wee thought to haue slept, but a Lyon terryfied vs, within eight paces of me, but with our showting he departed. The next day we passed high and cragged Hils, for feare of Theeues, and came at night to a Village of Saracens. On Holy-Thursday, we came to certaine Chri∣stian Herd-men, which supposing mee a Turke, fled, but learning that I was a Priest, kissed my hands with ioy, and refreshed vs with store of Milke in vessels of Straw, which they set on burning stones to heate. Bread they had none, and was, they said, a rare thing to them, and farre brought. Their wiues which had hid themselues, came the next day to intreat my blessing, some kissing my hands, others fal∣ling at my feete. We went thence ouer rough Mountaines, troubled also with raine, the way not aboue three foote broad, on both sides so steepe, that I durst not looke downe for feare of giddinesse. Blind al∣most * 1.31 and wearie, we came at last to the top, and found a plainer path, (for I had not beene able to haue [ 60] descended the like) and a Towne of Christians which brought vs their Bookes and Crosses. Here wee were inuited to a poore Cottage, which yet was in good season for vs, a violent raine following, which else had oppressed vs. On the tenth of May we came to Barua, where all my Company left me, but one Sa∣racen and a Christian. Another Saracen which dwelt here sent mee a Hen, but the Christian which

was with me gat him away, because the Abassines (forsooth) eate not any thing killed by a Turke: and * 1.32 I for feare of offence, sent it backe with thankes to the sender, eating dry Bisket brought from Diu, without any other things, though faint. Neither would the Gold I had doe me any seruice heere to buy prouision, their currant Money being stones of Salt. The Bread of my Companions was halfe baked Dough, of round forme, which they bake with putting a hot stone into the Dough, and rolling it, cast it into the fire, so that the out-side is scorched, the in-side vnbaked. This they carried in their Budgets, but my stomacke could not beare it. Hither on the eleueth of May, came Iohn Gabriel, the Captaine of the Portugals, hauing receiued my Letters from Mazua, with other Portugals. To giue mee better enter∣tainment, they killed a Sheepe, which I tasted not, they eating it a little scorched and halfe raw, after the Countrey custome. Here I had a Mule, and we trauelled twentie together, yet not without feare of [ 10] * 1.33 Theeues, the raine also towards euening daily molesting vs (and we were forced to lye in the open fields) heat also exceeding in the ascent of an exceeding Mountaine, and as exceeding cold on the top. On the fifteenth of May, we came to Fremona, where Ouiedo and others of our Fathers were buried in the chiefe Church of the Portugals. We were receiued with great deuotion of the people. I went to the Pa∣triarchs house, which is round as an Apple and couered with straw, as are all which we haue yet seene in Ethiopia, (all of Earth, and round, little, without distinct roomes; except those of the King and great men which haue seuerall roomes, but yet of Earth and Thatched.) The Patriarchs house was * 1.34 twentie palmes or spans ouer. Heere were Melchior Syluius his things, which had carried with him the holy Uestments. Sunday following being Whitsunday, I celebrated a dry Masse and preached. Many came to Confession. The Portugall Captaine was sent for to the Court by the new Emperour, to [ 20] * 1.35 whom I writ, who by writing welcomed me, and licensed me to goe to him, which I purpose at the end of September, which is the end of Winter: for of him depend all the Priests, and all will be Catholikes if * 1.36 he command, as well Clergie as Laitie. The Emperours name is Malac Sequed, aged fifteene yeares. On the last of Iune, Syluius returned from a worse iourney then that of ours, more craggie and rough, of twentie daies, which hee goeth twise in the yeare to Nanina, to the Catholikes there. I send your Worships the head of the holy Patriarch, although not whole, hauing bene often digged vp: I adde three * 1.37 pieces of the skull, and the iaw with eight teeth. On the other side, send you me, I pray, some Image of the blessed Virgines Conception, of fiue or sixe spannes, for the seruice of this Temple wanting an Image. I haue placed the head of Father Francis Lopes in my Bolster, being yet hairy, for my more vine memo∣rie of his life, which what it was you shall receiue by our informations, as also of Father Abraham, of [ 30] whom you haue heard no fame, &c.

While Paez remained at Fremona, hee translated the Catechisme into the Amaran tongue (which is therc counted the most elegant) and made the Children learne it by heart. In this yeere 1603. great misery happened by Grasse-hoppers, from which, Paez freed the Catholikes, by Letanies and sprinkling the Fields with Holy-water; when as the Fields of Heretikes, * 1.38 seuered onely by a Ditch, were spoyled by them. Yea, a Heretike vsing this sacred sprinkling, preserued his Corne, which to a Catholike neglecting in one Field, was lost, and preserued in another by that coniured aspersion (so neere of kinne are these Locusts to the Deuill, which is said * 1.39 to hate Holy-water, or else make a quaere for other Locusts, worse then the Aegyptian mentioned Apoc. 9.) About the end of September, when hee had thouhht to haue gone to the [ 40] Court, newes came, that the Emperours Sisters Husband conspired against him, and impriso∣ned him, alleadging that he was no Christian, because one of his Guard was an Ethnick, and that his Father was not the King, but one Batius a vulgar person. He being produced and thus accused, stood mute; because (said hee) his Subiects presumed to iudge their Soueraigne: Hee was sent into close keeping to Damijeta.

The Viceroy of Tigras passing by, Paez went to salute him: who willed him to sit downe on his Carpet, when all the rest stood; and asked why the Portugals did not now as in time past, frequent the Red Sea; whether they were afraide of the Turkes. Hee answered, that Turkes rather feared the Portugals, and fled into the Countrey when they aproached the Coast: but this was the true reason that all the ships of India came thither out of Portugall Ports, and most of [ 50] their goods appertained to the Portugals.

He went to the Monasterie Conegorum, where he saw their Church, the Altar inuironed with a threefold Curtaine, reaching to the wall on both sides, sometime couered with stone, now with straw, the Saracens hauing spoyled the former, and therefore darke: they shewed him a Crucifixe painted on a Linnen cloth, as a precious thing, yet artlesly wrought. They set him on a Carpet, themselues and the Portugals sitting on the ground. Ouer against the doore, were ten faire stones, in the midst whereof, they say, the Emperour is inaugurated. A little further are thirteene stones in Pyramide fashion, the greatest whereof is twelue spannes broade, and a∣bout sixtie high, with much workemanship, the matter admirable whence it could bee brought hither. The Viceroy forbade his Iudges to meddle with the Towne of Catholikes, and ap∣pointed [ 60] Paez their Iudge. The Gallae did much mischiefe at this time, and flew the King of Narea, tributary to the Abassine, whom also they assaulted, but were ouerthrowne. After this, * 1.40 the King sent for Paez, who was brought to the King, sitting on a high Throne, and kissed his hand, being bidden also to be couered, and to sit on the Carpet. After this, followed another

day; a dispute about abolishing the legall Rites, two wills in Christ, and Purgatorie, all which, they denie. The King was desirous to see their Masse, but for want of Wine, he could performe * 1.41 onely a dry Office; for which, the King caused a great Tent to bee erected, and in it, another lesse for his Throne: the Iesuite preached with great aplause; whom the Empresse also desiring to heare, when the Emperour saw him standing, hee arose from his Throne, and inuited him to make his Sermon out of it, himselfe sitting on the Foot-stoole. Another time, when in confe∣rence, Paez called himselfe the Emperours Subiect; no, said hee, my Father and King: and gaue great hopes of the conuersion of that Nation, which were dashed by his death, which Paez signified in his Letter, the thirtieth of Iuly, 1605. Namely, that Zezelazeus, whom the Em∣perour had deliuered from exile, and exalted, had conspired together with Eras Athanatheus, [ 10] (the next to the Emperor) who yet made faire shew, and bound himselfe after the Alassine man∣ner, in the bond of excommunication, to fidelitie and loyaltie, which yet he kept not. Zezelazeus * 1.42 gathered great forces, alleadging against the Emperous, that he forsooke his Religion, and imbra∣braced the Portugall and Romane; and therefore all that were zealous, ought to take armes against him. This made some sweare to kill all the Portugals, and the Iesuite especially. Before the battell, he wished him present to confesse himselfe to him. In the battell, Anahel which before had forsoken him, returned to his Part with his Sonne: but hee suspecting him; False Traitor thou wentest, said he, and so thou returnest, withall, killing him, which his sonne seeing ranne the Emperour thorow the necke, and thrust him off his Horse, whom Zezelazeus and the Sa∣rac••••s dispatched. Three daies hee lay dead in the field, naked and subiect to contumelies, and [ 20] after that, meanely buried.

Paez was all this while in Goyame, whence he was sent for by the Empresse, and kindly en∣tertained. Sazinosius by election succeeded in the Empire foure Moneths, then forsaken, and Iames restored out of his Narean imprisonment and exile, passing thorow the Galle's Countrey * 1.43 with great hazard. In the yeere 1607. Sazinosius ouercame him in battell, neither was Iames a∣ny more seene. This Sazinosius was a man of singular arts and parts for warre and peace, mu∣nificent and faithfull, aged fiue and thirty yeeres, affected to the Romane faith. A yeere and halfe he had to doe with Rebels, same affecting Soueraignty, which hee brought to Subiection. Much adoe he had also with the Gallae (which came to subdue the Agai, which are white Chri∣stians, * 1.44 to sell them to the Saracens) whom in foure battels he ouerthrew. After this, followed [ 30] another rebellion, with successe like to the former. Hee sent Zezelazeus prisoner into the Kingdome of Goroma, whence he escaped and was slaine of the Pesants. He sought to vnite the Abassine Church with the Romane, and writ to the Pope and the King of Spaine. His Letters to the Pope are these.

THE Letters of Malasegued the Abassine Emperour, let come to the holy Father Bishop of Rome, * 1.45 with the peace of Iesus Christ, which hath loued vs, and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud, and made vs a Kingdome and Priests to God and the Father. This peace bee with your Holinesse, and the whole Church of Christ, &c. Such is the spoile and ruine of our Empire by warres past, that although we haue subdued some Rebels, yet are there others more puissant abroad, the Ethnick Galae, which haue subiected no small part of the Kingdome, and daily m••••est vs with new incursions, misera∣bly [ 40] vexing old and young: which their rage cannot in seeming be repressed without the ayd of the King of Portugall. Wherefore we intreat him to send vs ayde as his Ancestors did to our Progenitors. And that my Petition may haue more weight, I thought good to 〈…〉〈…〉e to your Holinesse, the Pastor and Father of all the faithfull, to signifie so much to our Brother, &c. October 14, 1607. The like he writ to the King of Spaine, Decemb. 10. as also did Eras Athanathens.

The Iesuites there giue their Ag〈…〉〈…〉 Deis, Graines, &c. The Abassines weare Amulets of words of the Gospell, hanging about their necks. Amongst other Rebels which arose in Armes against Sazinosius, was not one farre from Fremona, which had beene an Anchoret, or Hermite * 1.46 in a Wildernesse twentie yeares, not putting off yet his ambition of a Scepter. He had theeues to associate him, of which there are plentie. But I haue almost beene robbed of discretion, and [ 50] seeme to haue robbed my Readers patience to wilder, and while him so long in this miserable Abassia.

An Armenian his report of SVSSINVS, the Emperour of the Abaxins, by vs vulgarly called PRESTER IOHN, who came from the said Emperours Court twelue daies since.

FIrst, from Dealeque to the Kings Court, called Dombia, (a very great Citie) is fiue and [ 60] twentie daies iourney by Carrauan; heere goeth from thence yearely ten Carrauans, where∣of eight are great. The Commodities they carrie, are all kind of Indian cloathing, and likewise of our English Commodities, (Broad-cloath, Kerseys, Lead, Tinne; likewise, Veluets, Da∣maskes,

Sattens, Taffitaes, and all other sorts of Silke Stuffes. Their measure is about halfe a yard; Cloath, which is worth in Moha foure Rials of eight, is there worth eight Rials. The price of Kerseyes, is halfe the price of Broad-cloath: The Colours they most desire, are Reds, Greens, Violets, Murreys, and other light Colours: Yellowes in no esteeme, nor Blacks.

Veluets of China of all sorts are worth ten Rials of eight the halfe yard. Veluets of Italy are much more worth: but not so profitable to the Merchants, because they are much deerer. Sattens of Florence are worth ten Rials; Damaskes of the better sort, worth eight or ten Ri∣als. Taffitaes three Rials; all colours well sold, excepting Yellowes and Blackes.

Ciuet, great quantitie is to be had, the price is three Wakias, (which is neere vpon foure * 1.47 ounces English, for fiue Rials of eight. Elephants teeth, the Bahar, worth thirtie Rials, [ 10] The Bahar is three hundred and sixtie Rottollies of Moha. Waxe one hundred Rottollies, worth one Riall of eight. Gold the Rottolly, worth sixtie Rials, the Rottolly is neere vpon sixteene ounces and a halfe. Lead and Tinne in great request. Tinne worth the Rottolly, one Rial, Lead much more worth, because the Turk wil not suffer any to be carried into his Country.

Bezar-stones many are to be had, and little worth: here are many Beasts with one horne in their fore-head like a Vnicorne; which horne, they say, is good against poyson. There are of them which weigh eight pound, some seuen, foure, and three pound: the greatest and fairest, worth some foure Rials the piece, and those of a lesser sort worth lesse: among the Turkes and Moores in Arabia, euery pound is worth one Riall of eight.

From Grancairo there goeth in August a great Carrauan, and likewise another in Nouem∣ber. [ 20] The Commodities they carrie from thence, are Broad-cloaths, Kerseyes, Veluets, Sat∣tens, Damaskes, and all sorts of Silkes. From Cayro to Dombia is fiftie daies trauell by Carrauan.

First, he sits on a gilt Bed-sted like those of China, and there commeth great troops of men * 1.48 daily to salute him; some daies two thousand, some daies more, some daies lesse; but Friday being their day of Fast, there commeth a farre greater quantitie.

[illustration] map of Asia

HONDIVS his Map of Asia.

Notes

• * 1.1

  P. Iar. Thes. l. 3. c. 3. N. God. de A••asr••b•••• l. 1. c. 3.
• * 1.2

  Iohn Gabriel a Portugall.
• * 1.3

  Tigrai the first Kingdome.
• * 1.4

  Dancali.
• * 1.5

  Angote and the other fiue.
• * 1.6

  Aucaguerle.
• * 1.7

  Dahali. Oecie.
• * 1.8

  Rozanagum.
• * 1.9

  Nerea.
• * 1.10

  Goroma, large and sertile.
• * 1.11

  But foure Kingdomes now subiect to the Negus. Riuers and Lakes. Iewes. Oara.
• * 1.12

  Gabea. Lakes.
• * 1.13

  A. Fernandez his Letter.
• * 1.14

  Nature of the Abassine soile.
• * 1.15

  Wormes in the belly by vse of raw flesh.
• * 1.16

  This seemeth to be the Ca∣melopardalis.
• * 1.17

  Riuer-horses, and their na∣ture.
• * 1.18

  The Torpedo, a strange kind of fish.
• a 1.19

  Palus a bot∣tomlesse poole Strange Springs and Course of Ni∣lus, which some fetch much further from beyond the Line, perhaps, not so truly. I. Baptista Scor∣tia a Iesuite hath published two Bookes of this one Riuer ascribing to it two originals, one a Lake in twelue degr•• of South lati∣tude, fiftie fiue of longitude, whence Cu••ma floweth, Spai∣to Sancto, and Coanza: the o∣ther vnder the Line in fiftie fiue of longi∣tude, being a Lake of 1700, furlongs ouer, here mentio∣ned by Fernan∣dez. The Abas∣sine opinion by the Kings Let∣ters appeare, that Nilus ari∣seth hence. Seasons in Abassia, the Red Seas course. Power of the Moone. Abassine good fellowship. Scarcitie of Wine. Peter Paez. Succession of Emperours.
• * 1.20

  Before him was Nahu, whose Prede∣cessor was A∣lexander; to him Ciriacus, &c. Abassines ap∣parell.
• * 1.21

  Foolish bra∣uerie.
• * 1.22

  Dul Ignorance and Idlenesse.
• * 1.23

  Their Arts.
• * 1.24

  Townes and Houses. Little or no writing.
• * 1.25

  See of these Fasts, Aluarez. Churches.
• * 1.26

  A••••. Fernandez.
• * 1.27

  Ethiopia ciuill Combustions.
• * 1.28

  The Galae.
• * 1.29

  Bailur twelue leagues within the streights on the Abassine shoare.
• * 1.30

  Letters of P. Paez.
• * 1.31

  Strange paths.
• * 1.32

  Vaine supersti∣tion.
• * 1.33

  Raw flesh. Wet, heat, cold, and ill way.
• * 1.34

  Their houses.
• * 1.35

  Siccum sacrifici∣um.
• * 1.36

  The King Su∣preme Gouer∣nor in causes Ciuill and Ec∣clesiasticall.
• * 1.37

  This see∣meth falsly written: for Iames Malae Seguends both Predecessour and Successor. Relikes.
• * 1.38

  Grasse-hop pers scarred with Holy-wa∣ter.
• * 1.39

  Mat. Paris tels of Tudfled (I thinke hee meaneth Thax∣ted) in Essex, where the De∣uill comming into the Church at the Priests aspersi∣o••, shrecked and leaped in∣to a Medow two furlongs off. Sure I am, such a Medow is there still, called Lopers, in that Parish of my natiui∣tie. Portugall goods in Indian ships. Obeliskes.
• * 1.40

  King of Naria slaine.
• * 1.41

  Want of Wine of the Vine: that of Hony more com∣mon. Iesuites honor.
• * 1.42

  The Emperour Malac Segued, called also Sa∣uenquil, and A∣thanas Saqued.
• * 1.43

  Iames slaine or lost.
• * 1.44

  Aga••.
• * 1.45

  The reason of this name, I thinke to be their custome of changing Name when they come to the Empire.
• * 1.46

  Religious Rebell.
• * 1.47

  The Commo∣dities of that Country, with their Prizes.
• * 1.48

  The Kings State.